Tet Further Revealed: Studies Track Protein Relevant to Stem Cells, Cancer 30 March 2011

Home , Reprogramming, Yi Zhang (biochemist)

Tet further revealed: Studies track protein relevant to stem cells, cancer 30 March 2011

Last year, a research team at the University of maintain the mouse embryonic stem cell state. North Carolina at Chapel Hill discovered one way the protein Tet 1 helps stem cells keep their "On one hand, it silences the genes that are pluripotency-the unique ability to become any cell important for differentiation. On the other hand, it type in the body. In two new studies, the team also activates pluripotency genes," said Zhang. takes a broad look at the protein's location in the mouse genome, revealing a surprising dual The team then focused its attention on the function and offering the first genome-wide location Tet1-catalyzed reaction of the protein and its product, product,5-hydroxymethylcytosine. 5-hydroxymethylcytosine-dubbed the "sixth base" 5-hydroxymethylcytosine is a modified version of of DNA. cytosine-the "C" in the four main DNA bases, A, T, G, and C. 5-methylcytosine and UNC biochemist Yi Zhang, PhD, whose team 5-hydroxymethylcytosine have been called the fifth conducted the studies, called the findings an and sixth bases of DNA, but since important step in understanding the molecular 5-hydroxymethylcytosine was discovered only mechanisms behind cell differentiation and the recently, scientists know little about it. development of cancer. The findings appear in two recent papers, published March 30, 2011 online in "Everybody is trying to understand what Nature and in the April 1, 2011 issue of Genes & 5-hydroxymethylcytosine is doing," said Zhang. "Is Development. it an intermediate, or is it an end product? What is its biological function?" Zhang's team mapped the "There is no doubt that Tet proteins are relevant to distribution of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine across the cancer," said Zhang, Kenan distinguished genome, offering new insights to its role in professor of biochemistry and biophysics. Zhang is development and disease. also an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a member of the UNC Lineberger "It's the first time we have the whole picture of Comprehensive Cancer Center. Tet proteins were where this new modification is in embryonic stem initially discovered in leukemia as fusion proteins, cells," said Zhang. "We found that its role in which are commonly found in cancer cells, where regulating transcription is complicated. It's not they may function as oncoproteins. simply activating or repressing genes-it depends on the context." In addition, Zhang said, "Tet is likely to be one of the important players for stem cell Like much of science, the research answers some reprogramming." Learning to "reprogram" cells in questions while raising others. "This study is just the adult body to make them behave like stem cells beginning," said Zhang. Although Tet1 is known to has long been a goal for stem cell researchers; generate 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, there are understanding how Tet proteins operate could help places where one exists without the other. Further advance stem-cell based treatments. investigation could reveal more about the relationship between the two and whether other Tet proteins are known to help stem cells stay enzymes may play a role. In addition, scientists pluripotent. Zhang's team analyzed Tet1's need to examine how Tet1 and occupancy across the entire mouse embryonic 5-hydroxymethylcytosine function in animal models. stem cell genome. They found that the protein works by using a two-pronged approach to

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Provided by University of North Carolina School of Medicine APA citation: Tet further revealed: Studies track protein relevant to stem cells, cancer (2011, March 30) retrieved 25 September 2021 from https://phys.org/news/2011-03-tet-revealed-track-protein- relevant.html

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